The New York Times bestselling author of THE PARIS LIBRARY returns with a moving new novel based on the true story of a New York librarian determined to bring books to the children of war-torn France. An instant USA Today bestseller.

'A rich, glorious life-affirming ode to the power of books and female solidarity' KATE THOMPSON
'A wonderful story about the power books have not only to inspire, but also to rescue and restore' RUTH HOGAN

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Under what was left of the roof of the ruined cottage, a girl with pigtails perched on a pile of rubble, hunched over a book...

1918: As the Great War rages, Jessie Carson leaves the New York Public Library for the American Committee for Devastated France. Joining the women rebuilding French communities, Jessie strives to establish something new - children's libraries. She turns ambulances into bookmobiles and trains the first French female librarians. Then she disappears.

1987: Librarian Wendy Peterson stumbles across a reference to Jessie Carson in the archives. Consumed by her story, Wendy learns that she and the elusive librarian have more in common than the NYPL. Wendy's obsession leads to their paths converging in surprising ways across time.

*Published under the title Miss Morgan's Book Brigade in the US*

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Readers adore THE LIBRARIANS OF RUE DE PICARDIE:
'Beautifully written... unforgettable!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Inspiring' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A great book for book-club discussions' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I will be thinking of these brave women for a long time to come' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A beautiful story of female courage, friendship and the power of books' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'An enthralling, emotional story rich in historical detail... Charles has done real justice to the legacy of these courageous women; this wonderful book is a gift to the reader' Liese O'Halloran Schwarz
'A moving novel of sacrifice, heroism, and inspired storytelling immersed in the power of books to change our lives' Patti Callahan Henry
'Bibliophiles are in for a treat' Publishers Weekly